City: Roque Bluffs, ME

Category: Parks & Recreation

Telephone: (207) 255-3475

Address: 145 Schoppee Point Rd.

Description: This Down East park is unusual in several ways. First, it’s a fairly large sand and pebble beach at 910 yards. Second, there is a big freshwater basin right behind it, so you can swim in the sea and then wash off the salt in the 60-acre pond. And finally, as Maine state parks go, it sees few visitors for the beauty of the spot. The park covers a total of 274 acres, and there’s plenty of space for picnicking, with tables and grills. There’s a bathhouse for changing and a playground for the kids. All the amenities you could ever want in a Maine beach are here, and then some, without all the commercial distractions and superficialities of those found in southern Maine.